Alright, so a lot of things did not go our way this year when it comes to the sharks, but maybe it would be nice to focus on some of the positive things that came out of this year.
No negativity please, we already have enough threads for that.
Posted Mar 24, 2015, 4:13 AM UTC
The addition of Ben Smith! :)
Loving him so far
AHL team in SJ!, not only will it be awesome to watch them but it will make shuffling guys to and from 10x easier.
We acquired John Scott
AYYYE Cap'n Scott!!
This is the positive thread.
To be quite honest, I don't get all the hate. Sure we have better people to play in his place, but he isn't terrible. He's only a -3 this year in 33 games played.
Edit: Plus he's just entertaining to watch. He knows he's not that amazing, but gives zero fucks.
He is entertaining and I'm sure a great dude, but as a hockey player, yes he is terrible. There's a reason he gets 7 minutes a night, which one could even argue is too much. He's there to "protect" or deter or whatever, in a roll that is becoming increasingly reduced in the NHL. Enforcers nowadays need to have at least some skill. Scott doesn't drive the play away from the Sharks net.
The best NHL teams have 4th lines that are skilled. They aren't going to be relied on to score, but they supply the team with useful minutes.
If i recall correctly for some reason we have a better record with him than without
I'm pretty sure that's true, but I'm too lazy to tally it up. Here's the games he's played.
He's such an elite sniper.
Irwin stepped his game up after a very disappointing first showing. Hannan is off contract. Mueller will be a lot bigger next year. Hertl and Nieto should find more of their game.
Hannan wasn't the problem, not having anyone better than Hannan was the problem. He was only making $1 mil in salary, and I think having him as a 7th defensemen that is there mostly to mentor to the young defense we have, and being a veteran replacement in case of injury, was a fine addition to the team. So I liked having Hannan around, I just wish he wasn't playing so frequently.
It forces the management to actually do something about it this time around. And Hannan getting so many minutes was a problem, regardless. He's just playing a different game and much older.
I still don't get the whole Hannan being a mentor thing. Isn't that what Larry Robinson was for?
Jumbo is still playing the same and has not lost his edge Pavs having another strong year Teirny, Tennyson and Melky all had good rookie showings (from best to worst, I think Melker is great, but getting a little Jumbo boost)
Dead weight being shed: Desjardins, Sheppard, Kennedy.
..i'm gonna miss desi
I think I'm one of the few that liked Kennedy as well.
But not the only!
And Sheppard was decent in his role too
Gotta kinda disagree on all counts here. Desi was a decent (and inexpensive) 4th liner. Sheppard was a great 3rd/4th-line winger, and was really great improved as a center this year over last year. and Kennedy has already has 4 points in 6 games with a team that actually has the audacity to play him.
And we got jack shit for all of 'em. I really feel it comes down to TMac not knowing how to play to anyone's strengths.
TK was poorly utilized. We lost out on his potential.
The fan base has been unified in their hate for John Totora.
Stadium^Series^Jerseys^?
I like em.
They're a bit cursed, but I do like them.
Irwin's play of late has been pretty surprising (though is he a UFA after this year?). Tierney has looked good. Nieto isn't getting many points, but he's been a demon on the forecheck and just playmaking in general. Hertl had a big sophomore slump, but he's been much better in the 2015 part of this season. Karlsson has also looked good, though I believe pretty much anyone on that line will play well (and I'd like to see him reproduce on another line). Thornton hasn't regressed at all and I do firmly believe that at least 80% of the problem with Marleau is just bad damn luck.
I'm mostly glad we haven't had any major injuries to key players that we'll have to worry about next season.
The problem with patty has nothing to do with luck it is a mental problem...sports psychology is a huge thing.
Definitely not saying it's all just puck luck, but a shooting percentage that is roughly half of his career average is more than just a mental problem.
Yea Irwin is a UFA. We need him back.
Marleau looks to be slow this entire season. I though at first it was an injury as he seemed to be behind plays and not be as quick to respond. Then he seemed to get faster around the new year, but now he's unlucky X_X.
Our power-play percentage rank went from 20th in the league to 6th with Pavelski 2nd in the league in PPG (behind Ovechkin).
I learned the definition of "Regicide"
Also, gaining valuable experience for our younger players, a decent shift in the roster without totally tanking the season, and I'd like to think that we'll get a renewed focus and work ethic during the off season golf season.
I am very excited to see the young guys getting more ice time, and look forward to seeing them develop. Big changes are coming to the Sharks next year and the anticipation is killing me. I love Joe Pavelski and Coutures honesty when being interviewed.
Definitely the Melkman.
Holiday sweater
Hertl has been standing up for himself more. I love to see that guy find success. Never forget, this is dream!
1.) all things considered as far as scheduling goes they didn't do horribly for the majority of the year.
2.) we have a ton of cap space and draft picks and there is a good draft year.
3.) karlsson and goodrow. inexpensive pick ups that can improve the team.
4.) should be pretty obvious now that the team needs more DEFENSE. seriously DW.
The Sharks Video Department. Seriously. They've been on point this year.
It's Niemi's last year in Teal. I mean, IT BETTER FUCKING BE.
Melker Karlsson
This a hundred times.
edit: errr at least 68
100% agreed on this, very nice surprise indeed. I went to the ottawa game last night and something funny came out, my aunt doesn't watch a lot of hockey and did not understand Karlsson on the sharks and Karlsson on the sens... they are not related :((9
Lol... You mean Thornton's new winger for the season?